Vermont Legal Aid Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

1. The disability law project provides legal services to individuals with disabilities. Services range from representation for the purpose of protecting civil rights and combating discrimination, to assuring access to necessary services. Total expenses = 848,781. 2. The elder law project provides services to eligible clients who are over the age of 60. These services are provided through a variety of activities including representing individuals who seek help through the various area agencies on aging, dual-eligible elderly medicaid recipients, and statewide advocacy on behalf of Vermont elders in the state legislature and with various agencies and government subdivisions. Total expenses = 774,578. 3. The long-term care ombudsman project assists residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities with quality of life or quality of care problems. The ombudsman is an independent advocate who helps residents resolve complaints and concerns. Total expenses = 970,969. 4. The housing discrimination law project is established to conduct a full- service, coordinated and comprehensive fair housing program under the private enforcement initiative of the u.s. Department of housing and urban development. Total expenses = 95,712. 5. Other projects includes the following: total expenses = 2,348,549. 1. The housing for everyone project is funded entirely by the emergency rental assistance program which was part of the american rescue plan act. The project has, since july of 2022, sought to increase housing stability and prevent homelessness by conducting outreach to all tenant/defendants in residential eviction cases filed in court, and provide legal help to all eligible tenants who respond to outreach. Legal help gives tenants options in the eviction process, and sometimes can resolve disputes and allow tenants to keep their homes permanently. 2. The homeowner legal assistance project provides legal services to low- to-moderate income Vermont homeowners at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage, property tax, homeowners association dues, or other property charge delinquency. The project also assists heirs needing proof of legal ownership of their home to avoid mortgage or property tax issues. 3. The medical-legal partnership project works with medical and social work providers to address their patients health-harming legal needs in a variety of areas, including safe housing, adequate income, and personal and family stability. By connecting with people through their medical home we are able to reach individuals and families who might not otherwise seek our services. 4. The victims rights project provides legal advice and representation to crime victims throughout the state of Vermont focusing on securing victims safety, security, and privacy. Our priorities include assisting survivors of elder abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 82.9%; rating input score 83
• Program expense ratio: 82.4%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0.5%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.5; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.46; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.8%; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.3% per year; rating input score 100; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.3% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 13.4% per year; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings